"The History of the Presbyterian Church of America."

(Credit/details)

Telepathy

Check this out (Credit: Miss Funke). As I read it, I think to myself, "Why not?"

When I asked my parents about this as a child, they said, "Yes, we believe that some form of telepathy may exist. This ability probably exists in some people more than in others. It is most likely a remnant of a pre-fall form of communication." And again, I ask, is this embedded somewhere in Reformed theology, that I have just never heard of? Or is this just something that my parents told me?

I believe that very uncanny things like this have happened to me in the past (stranger than just knowing who was about to call), and I also believe that I do have a gift of some foreknowledge. Is this just common sense, or because I am an INTJ, which means that I see patterns in the world and can predict what is likely to happen next? Is it because I am a woman, and therefore have a slightly supernatural instinct? Or, is one of my spiritual gifts "prophecy," perhaps a real, albeit often neglected, spiritual gift?

I think that all of the above are possible but, as always, we must be careful not to major in the minors.

Fun!

My sister asked a friend to Kilter (Covenant's Sadie Hawkins-type dance) earlier this week, and here are some photos she shared:

From: Cara
To: Childers family

The "message in a bottle" said:

I've been stranded out at sea
with only these for company.
But you could change my fate-
would you be my kilter date?

("these" means the real goldfish we put in the bottle)

Sadly the fish are dead now....but it kinda fits the whole
concept if you think about it :)

David's note in the sand said, "to the rescue my lass!"

Sleepy....

I feel so incredibly frustrated, but I do not know why. I must admit, though, how comforting it is to have a warm body, the warm body of this sweet poodle I’m dogsitting this week, pressed up against my leg. Max is sleeping right now, and his comrade Zoe, a tiny teacup black poodle, is curled up a few inches away.

They are both darling, but they show love differently. Zoe is like a small, fiesty woman, and she loves energetically, in bursts of emotion. She will try to attack me but, unfortunately, her highest leaps only get her to about the height of my hip, and even that is about six times her height.

I can feel Max breathing. His love is a more manly kind of love—softer, slower, but more steady and sure. He is much quicker to obey me, and he is also more patient in waiting for my affection. He will let Zoe have it out with her enthusiasm, but then he will calmly assert himself and communicate that he is so glad that I am home, and that he would love for me to pat him or scratch his tummy.

Anyway, I would like to be able to talk about what frustrates me, but I can’t in so public a setting. Really, I am probably just tired. And when I try to think about the irksome things in my life, I realize that I don’t have that much to complain about (although a complainer can always find something to complain about). Looking at my life rationally, I do not have it that bad. And I have many things to be thankful for. One such thing is the beautiful view of lightning that I had on my drive home this evening. At one point in the drive, I had an excellent view of the sky, spread out like a stage before me. Then there was a sudden bolt, starting from the middle of the screen and working its way out in ten different spider-arms of directions, spreading across the sky before me. It was gorgeous.

As I think about these things, I am reminded of something from one of my favorite cheesy musicals, White Christmas (silly as it may be, I still find the outdoor dance/tapdance scene, set in Old Florida, to be incredibly romantic--“When You’re Dancing”). The lyrics of another song from this film, which is sung by Bing Crosby in a lovely scene, are in my head right now:

When I'm worried and I can't sleep
I count my blessings instead of sheep
And I fall asleep counting my blessings
When my bankroll is getting small
I think of when I had none at all
And I fall asleep counting my blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads
And one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds
If you're worried and you can't sleep
Just count your blessings instead of sheep
And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings

--

In my search for these lyrics, I also found these (written by Johnson Oatman, Jr.):

Count Your Blessings

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Refrain

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Refrain